Stuck is new deputy coroner

Tuesday

Jul 30, 2013 at 10:49 AM

Drew Van DykeMMI Editor

Randolph County has a new deputy coroner.

Huntsville Police Chief William "Buddy" Stuck was appointed to the position back on July 2, current Randolph County Coroner Gerald Luntsford noted, in a notarized news release provided to the MMI late Monday morning (July 29).

"[Stuck] is a career law enforcement officer, which I feel is vital to the office of deputy coroner," Luntsford said. "I am honored to have Buddy as my deputy."

"I've been in law enforcement for 40-some years, and I enjoy helping the public," Stuck told the MMI on Tuesday morning.

Luntsford's appointment was approved by the Randolph County Commission, he noted.

A multitude of changes to the coroner's position over the last "eight-plus years" that Luntsford has been serving were also brought up in the release.

"The office is a 24-7 job," he said. "There is no such thing as a part-time coroner.

"The coroner and his deputy are death investigators. They need to be trained to know what to look for when investigating all kinds of deaths, such as accident, possible suicide or homicide, or natural. They also need to be available to work well with other law enforcement officers and the families of the deceased."

"We'll be going to training in Jeff City before too long," Stuck said.